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Bit of a strange name, Chess Simulator; this program doesn't just simulate playing chess, it really plays it. And of course, there are many superb chess programs around, so a new one has to be a bit special to get noticed. Has this got what it takes?

Firstly, you can view the time-honoured two-dimensional board from all the standard positions, with the option of watching the game from the sides as well as front and back. The crystal clear pieces are similar to those seen on large display boards all over the world.

You can select 3D mode and view the board from varying angles, but the 3D display is much less understandable, and the pieces get in the way of each other so it's not always possible to discern them.

Movement is easy: the mouse picks up a piece and positions it wherever you aim. The levels of play available range from Beginner to Club Player. Beginner level is just that; it is possible to beat the computer soundly every time. Higher levels are taxing even to those with many years' experience.

Chess Simulator has all the features you expect: save and load games, learning, self play, advice option, play-back and study a game. It even provides an ELO rating function: you're presented with a series of 24 positions, for each of which you must provide up to four likely moves in about two minutes, and your rating is calculated from the choices.

You get the option to redefine the pieces as African figures, Indian, Fighting Fantasy or Nuts And Bolts. This last set is rather surreal, and very minimalist. You can't play a proper game with it, but it does look nifty, as do the others. You can change the colours of the pieces and board, if you really want to, as well as the 3D perspective view.

The only sound effect is a speech function that merely tells you it's your move - quite useful if you've been dozing.

Chess Simulator is an easy-to-use program. It lacks originality (except in those alternative sets), but it's solid, fast and powerful. The ability to match up to Colossus proves its strength. It also has all the necessary functions, and also gives you an ELO rating (great if you're into '70s Birmingham hippies). Still, there's really nothing new or special here. It's just a good chess program, that's all.

To see just how good Chess Simulator really is, we pitted it against Colossus Chess X, billed (by its makers, CDS), as "the ultimate chess program". Both programs ran on Tournament level, with no time limits set.

Colossus Chess X played white and quickly gained a tactical advantage over Chess Simulator. By the middle-game, however, both Queens and all four Rooks had been exchanged and the game was evenly balanced once more. A protracted end-game ensued, with Colossus taking much of the fight to Chess Simulator. Eventually the sides were whittled down to Kings and Pawns. The Pawns were picked off one by one and the game ended in a draw.

Colossus took 1 hour minutes thinking, while Chess Simulator took only 26 minutes, indicating that it's both fast and powerful.